14 days of Classic Japan

On this tour we will go to places that are reminiscent of the Edo Period and beyond. The tour will begin in Tokyo, the capital and the most populous metropolis in the world. Beyond the seductive neon signs that advertise the plethora of businesses are traditional centers that have stood the test of time.

Destinos

Tokio / Hakone / Mt Fuji / Matsumoto / Takayama / Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa / Kioto / Uji / Nara / Osaka / Himeji /Hiroshima / Nikko

Simple itinerary

• Day 1 Arrival in Tokyo
• Day 2 Tokyo
• Day 3 Tokyo – Hakone – Mt. Fuji – Onsen
• Day 4 Matsumoto – Takayama
• Day 5 Takayama – Shirakawa Go – Kanazawa
• Day 6 Kanazawa
• Day 7 Kanazawa – Hiroshima
• Day 8 Hiroshima
• Day 9 Hiroshima – Kyoto
• Day 10 Kyoto
• Day 11 Kyoto – Nara – Kyoto
• Day 12 Kyoto – Tokyo
• Day 13 Tokyo – Nikko – Tokyo
• Day 14 End of the Trip

Trip description

Our next stop is Hakone, one of the most famous places for onsens (hot springs). The city served as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Panoramic views of Mt. Fuji, a boat cruise on Lake Ashi, Owakudani volcanic fumes, and the open-air museum are some of the reasons Hakone is a great stop. Our next stop is Takayama, a city famous for artisans and artisans with traditions dating back to the 9th century. There you can see their elaborately decorated yatai (floats), which show the level of craftsmanship in Takayama.

Then we will travel to nearby Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is known for the Gassho zukuri farms. The roofs of the farms are thatched and shaped like praying hands. We will then travel to Kanazawa, a city that once rivaled Kyoto in cultural achievement. Explore the well-preserved samurai and teahouse districts.

Then we will take a bullet train to the famous Hiroshima, the city where the first atomic bombs were deployed in WWII. Despite the tragedy, the area has become a symbol of hope for a world without nuclear weapons. Near Hiroshima is Miyajima Island, where the famous Itsukushima Shrine is located. The sanctuary is known for its vermilion torii gate that appears to float in the middle of the sea at high tide.

Next is the traditional heart of Japan, Kyoto. The city maintains its traditional roots despite the modernization of many other areas. Soak up the sun in the presence of the historic monuments, structures, districts and streets, which have been carefully preserved. We will also take a trip to the first permanent capital, Nara. The city is best known for the largest Daibutsu (Big Buddha) in Japan and can be found at the Todaiji Temple. Beyond the temple walls is Nara Park, where there are more than 1000 roaming deer free. Nara marked the beginning of establishing a centralized government and developing the culture in the country.

Then we will return to Tokyo for last minute shopping, dining and entertainment. The day will be free for you to decide on the activities you want to do. Our last stop for this tour is Nikko, where the famous Toshogu Shrine is located. The structures in the area are surrounded by beautiful nature and there is a saying “Nikko wo minai uchi wa kekko to iu na”, which translates to “you have not lived until you meet Nikko”.

Detailed itinerary

DAY 1
Welcome to Tokyo

Welcome to Tokyo! Make your way to your hotel in Tokyo using your Japan Rail Pass, we will provide you with full instructions in advance.

Note: If you want the meeting and reception or private hotel transfer to be included, please contact us for the agreement.
Hotel Ginza Creston or similar class

DAY 2
Tokyo – The city with a mix of past and present

Today we will enjoy a Private Tour of Tokyo, the most populated metropolis in the world. As modernized as the city can be, there are still aspects of its traditional history present. While touring Tokyo, you will have an expert local guide to take you to the best sightseeing spots. Visiting hours are entirely up to you and are flexible to the needs of the group.

For temples and shrines, we recommend visiting Asakusa Sensoji Temple, the oldest temple in Tokyo, and Meiji Jingu Shrine, the place where Emperor Meiji and his wife are enshrined. You can also roam the outer grounds of the Imperial Palace, the current residence of the Imperial family. If you are looking for a deeper look at the history of Japan, why not visit the Edo Museum in Tokyo?

There are many shopping options available in Tokyo, but depending on your preference it can take you to different parts of the city. High-quality branded items can be found in Ginza, extreme fashion style clothing is in Harajuku, otaku (geek) products can be purchased in Akihabara, and Shibuya is the middle ground between all your shopping needs.

Tokyo Skytree is the tallest tower in Japan and offers great views of the city from its observatory. There are shops as well as an aquarium located in the area. Not interested in the tower? So what about going to the man-made island known as Odaiba? On the island there are many entertainment options available in addition to the famous Rainbow Bridge.

Breakfast
Hotel Ginza Creston or similar class

DAY 3
Hakone – A national park with the best views of Mt. Fuji

Traverse Hakone, an iconic hot spring destination, by public transportation like the Hakone Tozan Cable Car or enjoy a panoramic view from the Hakone Cable Car. Like a national park, you will be greeted with magnificent views of the surrounding nature. Complementing the natural beauty, there are great museums like the Open Air Museum that we will visit. While taking a leisurely boat cruise on the lake, we will have the opportunity to see the impressive Mt. Fuji in the distance weather permitting. When the day comes to an end, we will have the opportunity to relax in the onsen (hot spring) at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) at Atami Onsen. Immerse yourself in the therapeutic waters and feel your body rejuvenate. Then, enjoy a Japanese Kaiseki (seasonal) Banquet Dinner that will give you a chance to taste the ingredients of the season.

Breakfast dinner
Atami Onsen Sakura Ryokan or similar class

DAY 4
Takayama – Japanese Alps with Japan’s Most Atmospheric Cityscapes

We will ride the bullet train to Nagoya and transfer to the JR Limited Express to Takayama. The city is famous for the artisans and craftsmen who reside there with techniques dating back to the 9th century.

In Takayama, you will have the opportunity to explore some other notable sites in the city. The Kaikan Museum of Takayama Yatai (floats) features elaborately decorated floats, which are over 700 years old. The yatai demonstrate the legendary craftsmanship of Takayama. Then a visit is made to Kusakabe Heritage House which is one of the oldest merchant houses in Takayama. Explore Sanmachi Suji, one of three streets in the old town that have survived in a beautiful state. Some of the businesses that exist have been around for centuries and still operate to this day.

Breakfast dinner
Honjin Hiranoya Bekkan or similar class

DAY 5
Shirakawa-go – Remote countryside known for its straw farms.

This morning stroll through Takayama Morning Market and Takayama Jinya, the only existing traditional local government office and a good example of a miniature palace with offices, an interrogation room with torture devices, and a 440-year-old rice barn. Then, we travel by bus to the stunning scenery of Shirakawa-go, one of the best in Japan, making it a great attraction for photographers. The town is a gem in the Alps of southern Japan, deep within the mountainous beauty of the sheltered region, only enhanced by rice fields irrigated through its network of waterways.

The thatched roof (gassho-zukuri) farms are designed to withstand heavy snowfall, also creating an unforgettable site for explorers of this World Heritage Site. Once there, take a walk through the cozy streets and its pleasant shops. From the observatory platform, you will be greeted with a general view of the entire town. Then we will travel to Kanazawa and spend two nights there.

Breakfast
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kanazawa or similar class

DAY 6
Kanazawa – The City of Arts, Crafts, Gardens and Geisha

Today enjoy a full-day private tour of Kanazawa. The city grew from being the castle city that was ruled by the Maeda Clan the second most powerful family of the Edo Period. It offers rich heritage values ​​with its traditional arts and crafts, including ceramic productions, gold leaf, and many more valuable practices. Kanazawa is full of different attractions with its well-preserved Geisha District, Samurai Historic District, lively fish market, and proud gardens.

The most famous garden in Kanazawa is Kenrokuen, which is one of the three best Japanese gardens in Japan. Near the garden is the beautiful Seisonkaku Villa that a Maeda lord built for his mother in the last years of the Edo Period. There is also the 21st Century Museum that displays incredible contemporary art such as Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool”. Let’s not forget about the Ninjadera, a temple equipped with secret doors and traps.

Breakfast
ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel Kanazawa or similar class

DAY 7
Kanazawa to Hiroshima – Express to the symbol of hope

Today you could spend another day exploring the variety of sights in Kanazawa, then hop aboard the bullet train heading west to Hiroshima using your Japan Rail Pass. Another option is to leave Kanazawa early and stop by Himeji to visit Himeji Castle. The castle is known as “White Egret Castle” and “White Heron Castle” due to its bright white exterior and structure that resembles a flying bird. Himeji Castle is the largest and most visited castle in Japan, and is one of the few original castles left in Japan. This splendid example of traditional architecture was declared one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan.

Breakfast
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar class

DAY 8
Hiroshima / Miyajima: the world’s first atomic bomb catastrophe and one of the three most scenic sites in Japan

Today enjoy a private day tour of Hiroshima and Miyajima. While we are in Hiroshima we will visit the Peace Memorial Park, which was built after the atomic bomb. The park symbolizes the hope of a world without nuclear weapons. From the park you can see the Genbaku Dome or Atomic Bomb Dome, one of the few surviving structures of the attack. We will also pass by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which has detailed records of life after the atomic bomb fell. In the afternoon we will explore Miyajima, an island near Hiroshima.

Located on the island is Itsukushima Shrine, which is known for its large torii gate that is built into the sea. At high tide, the famous vermilion torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine seems to float in the middle of the sea. The shrine complex is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Miyajima has been selected as one of the three most scenic places in Japan (nihon sankei). Itsukushima Shrine is said to have been first built in the 6th century at the foot of Mt. Misen as a place of worship for the holy mountain. The main deity of the sanctuary is the daughter of the mythical Susanoo and niece of the Goddess of the Great Sun Amaterasu.

Breakfast
Hotel Granvia Hiroshima or similar class

DAY 9 and 10
Kyoto – The heart of traditional Japan

Our day begins with a trip on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto, the traditional and cultural center of Japan. For more than 1000 years, Kyoto has influenced politics and culture in the country. It was the ancient capital before Edo (Tokyo). When the feudal era came to an end, much of the nation modernized, but the city set out to preserve its proud history. As a traditional center, history, religion, and culture remained unadorned. For two days you will have a private guide to take you to the most desired places.
There are many sites to see in Kyoto and they can be divided into the southern, eastern, central, northern and Arashiyama districts. No matter where you choose to visit each site, it has invaluable historical value that will leave you in awe. Just for quick reference, the Fushimi Inari Shrine has over 1000 torii gates; The Tofukuji Temple has the Hojo Garden that surrounds the four sides of the building, the Kiyomizudera Temple has the stage and the main hall that was built without nails, the Kinkakuji Temple is known as the Golden Pavilion, Arashiyama has the photogenic bamboo forest, and Gion is where you can find the Geisha district.

Breakfast
New Miyako Hotel or similar class

DAY 11
Nara, Japan’s first permanent capital with excellent examples of traditional architecture

Located about 1 hour from Kyoto, it is the first permanent capital, Nara. The city marks the change in history where a centralized government was established because before the capital changed its location when the Emperor died. During this time, culture in Japan had time to develop and evolve, which can be seen in the architecture and other structures that have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There you can see the largest bronze Daibutsu (Big Buddha) in the iconic Todaiji Temple. Around the temple is Nara Park, where there are more than 1000 free roaming deer, which are considered deities of the city. The brief reign of the Nara Period ushered in cultural change in the nation and left its mark on history. The sites in the city signify a beginning that is often forgotten, but is well preserved.

Breakfast
New Miyako Hotel or similar class

DAY 12
Tokyo: Back to Tokyo to shop, eat, have fun, and have fun before heading home

Take the bullet train back to Tokyo. The trip is approximately 3 hours. Upon arrival, proceed to your hotel. Tokyo has many services to offer to foreigners and locals as one of the most active and interesting metropolises in the world. Enjoy half the day following your own plans; last minute shopping, dining and entertainment all for you! Public transportation in Tokyo may have been overwhelming for some, but when you get used to it, you can carefully plan your wait time and see a lot in a short time.

Breakfast
Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa or similar class

DAY 13
Nikko – Home of the mausoleums of the Tokugawa Shoguns

When referring to Nikko, one can say “Nikko wo minai uchi wa kekko to iu na”, it is essentially a Japanese saying that suggests that Nikko is a must see and that your trip will not be worth it unless you go. We will be careful to practice that advice today after traveling to Nikko. These mountainous regions north of Tokyo will justify the saying, especially on the site of one of Japan’s 3 great waterfalls, the Kegon waterfall.

Nikko has been the center of both Buddhist and Shinto mountain worship. There is the lavishly decorated Toshogu Shrine, where the Tokugawa Ieyasu Mausoleum is located. Near the shrine is the Taiyuinbyo, the mausoleum of Iemitsu Tokugawa, Ieyasu’s grandson. Villa Tamozawa was once the residence of the imperial family and is open to the public. At Nikko, you will be surrounded by beautiful nature as you go from one place to another.

Breakfast
Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa or similar class

DAY 14
Tour ends

After check-out, make your own Narita Express Train ride to Narita Airport using your Japan Rail Pass for your outbound flight.

Note: If you want the private airport transfer to be included, please contact us for the agreement.